The Blue Lagoon, a famous tourist spot in Iceland, has been evacuated because of 'increased seismic activity' — again.
Magma has been churning underground near the lagoon just east of Sýlingarfell on the southern Reykjanes Peninsula since last week.
Currently, it seems the magma flowing about 2.5 miles underground has stopped, and the earthquakes hinting at a possible eruption have stopped.
‘However, while the situation remains uncertain, an imminent fissure eruption cannot be ruled out,’ the Icelandic Meteorological Office said yesterday.
So it’s understandable that the Blue Lagoon has closed as a precaution.
‘Iceland is a place of constant change. The island has been shaped and transformed by seismic and volcanic forces for thousands of years, website.
‘Due to increased seismic activity in a known area a few kilometers from Blue Lagoon, and our commitment to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff, we have evacuated our premises today.
‘As a result, all our operations will remain closed for the rest of today, Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3, when we will reassess the situation.’
Thousands of earthquakes started shaking the peninsula late last October, followed by three eruptions. This is to be expected, experts say, as it's home to the Sundhnúkur crater row.
While people might think of a volcanic eruption as lava shooting out of a mountain, the Reykjanes Peninsula keeps its magma hidden underground within lava fields and cones that emerged from fissures.
Known for its turquoise water, the geothermal spa Blue Lagoon is located by Grindavik, a fishing town damaged by volcanic eruptions last year and again in January.
Grindavik has turned into a ghost town once more after more earthquakes started yesterday, Iceland’s national broadcaster RUV reported.
On Friday, the regional police force said in a Facebook statement that the danger posed by the pavement splitting open due to tremors is ‘considerable’.
‘Residents and employees enter the town at their own risk. Everyone must be responsible for their own activities or inactivity. The Chief of Police clearly states that Grindavík is not a place for children or children to play,’ it said.
‘In the work area of the Blue Lagoon and HS energy,’ Suðurnesjum police added, referring to the Icelandic energy provider, HS Orka, ‘there is a considerable risk of lava flow.’
State weather officials estimate about 8.5-9,000,000 cubic meters of magma has accumulated beneath Svartsengi, home to a key power plant.
Between eight and 13,000,000 cubic meters of magma is the range where a volcanic eruption is considered possible, the Icelandic Meteorological Agency says.
‘There remains an increased likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the coming days. The most likely scenario is that a volcanic fissure opens in the area between Mt. Stóra-Skógfell and Mt. Hagafell which could occur with a very short warning time,’ the weather service said on Thursday.
Iceland’s SafeTravel service, which is managed by the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, hasn't issued any warnings. issued any warnings for tourists.
The current advice remains unchanged according to the police: Grindavik is still off-limits and hiking in the area is not allowed.
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